PowerOpen Environment

operating system (POE) A definition containing API and

ABI specifications based on the PowerPC architecture. It

is not an operating system. The presence of the ABI

specification in the POE distinguishes it from other open

systems (POSIX, XPG4, etc.) since it allows platform

independent binary compatibility which is otherwise typically

limited to particular hardware.

The POE is an open standard, derived from AIX and

conforming to industry open standards including POSIX,

XPG4 and Motif. The POE specification will be publicly

available to anyone wishing to produce either applicationprograms or hardware platforms. The PowerOpenAssociation will provide the necessary conformance testing

and POE branding.

The POE is hardware bus independent. System implementations

can range from laptop computers to supercomputers. It

requires a multi-user, multitasking operating system. It

provides networking support, an X Window System extension, a

Macintosh Application Services extension and Motif. It is

conformance tested and certified by an independent party

(the PowerOpen Association).

The POE specification is targeted for availability in the

first quarter of 1994. The PowerOpen Association will soon

have some of the information material available on-line.

(1994-11-08)